Chapter 127 — Plans in the Dark
Edward, Titan, and Vivian were on their way back to the mansion from the hospital.
Vivian sat in the back seat beside Edward, her hands folded neatly on her lap. She looked fragile, like someone who had just recovered from something serious.
But inside, her thoughts were racing.
Edward stared out of the window, his jaw tight. His mind was not on Vivian. It was on the call he had just received.
Titan drove in silence, his eyes focused on the road.
At the same time, Kian was also heading towards the mansion in his own car. His expression was serious. He had a folder on the passenger seat beside him–
documents, a name, and the location of the warehouse.
And somewhere not too far away, Damien was also driving towards the mansion.
He had tried calling Jasper several times. Yet, no answer.
His grip tightened on the steering wheel. Why isn’t he picking up?
He didn’t like being in the dark. Not when things were moving this fast and when he couldn’t tell what was going on in Jasper's head.
Edward, Vivian, and Titan arrived at the mansion first.
As soon as the car stopped, Titan stepped out and opened the door for Edward and Vivian.
Vivian walked slowly, still playing her role perfectly.
“Go and rest,” Edward told her calmly. She nodded softly.
“Thank you… for staying with me,” she said gently as she hugged Edward unexpectedly.
Edward, who was surprised, gave her a small nod, then quietly scanned the compound with his eyes to see if Elara was anywhere close.
Then Vivian turned and walked back to her room. Her steps were light. Because she believed her plan had worked.
She believed she had bought herself time. She did not know that time was running out in ways she couldn’t imagine.
A few minutes later, another car pulled into the compound.
Kian stepped out first.
Almost immediately after him, Damien’s car came in through the gates.
They both noticed each other. Kian walked toward Damien.
“Damien.”
Damien gave a small nod.
“Kian.”
Kian asked calmly. “Did Edward inform you?”
Damien’s heart skipped for a second. “Inform me about what?” he asked calmly.
Kian looked confused. “The tip.”
Damien kept his expression neutral. “What tip?”
“The slave trade,” Kian said quietly. “The warehouse in the city.”
For a brief second, Damien felt his blood run cold. That was exactly where he had just come from.
But he couldn’t show his shock.
“No,” Damien said smoothly. “Edward didn’t inform me.”
Kian blinked. “I thought he asked you to come.”
Damien shook his head lightly.
“No. But it’s a good thing I’m here,” he added quickly. “I actually wanted to check up on Edward.”
That was a lie.
He wanted to see Jasper, to update him on the information he got about Elara’s brother, Felix.
But Kian didn’t suspect anything.
“Good,” Kian said. “Let’s go. He’s waiting.”
They walked into the mansion together.
Edward was in his room when they entered. He was sitting near the window.
Titan stood nearby, just outside the door. Edward turned when he heard the door open.
“Kian. Damien.”
Kian stepped forward immediately.
“We received a tip,” he began.
Edward nodded. “Tell me everything.”
Kian opened the folder in his hands.
“A man approached us,” he said. “He’s been looking for his daughter.”
Edward’s eyes sharpened.
“His daughter?”
“Yes,” Kian continued. “She’s gifted. He believes she was taken by the slave traders.”
Damien remained silent, standing slightly behind Kian.
“He’s been investigating on his own,” Kian added. “He gathered information about a warehouse in the city.”
Edward’s jaw tightened, he crossed his arms.
“What exactly did the man say?”
“He said the place is heavily guarded,” Kian explained. “He couldn’t approach it himself. If he did, his life would be in danger.”
Damien’s face remained calm, but inside, his thoughts were racing.
How much do they know? Damien said to himself.
“The man is willing to cooperate,” Kian continued. “He wants to help us rescue his daughter and every other person held captive there.”
Edward’s eyes darkened.
“And Elder Rowan?”
“I’ve informed him,” Kian said. “We were planning to fix a day to raid the place.”
Edward did not hesitate. “No.”
Kian paused. “No?”
“We don’t wait,” Edward said firmly. “The longer we wait, the more time they have to move their operations.”
Damien’s heart pounded.
He kept his face expressionless.
“They could get information too,” Edward continued. “They could relocate.”
Damien swallowed slowly.
“So what do you suggest?” Kian asked.
“In less than three days,” Edward said clearly, “we raid that place.”
The room went silent.
“We rescue everyone held there,” Edward added. “And we arrest everyone responsible.”
There was fire in his voice. Damien finally spoke.
“I agree,” he said calmly. All eyes turned to him.
“We need to raid the place,” he continued carefully. “But we also need to be strategic.”
Edward studied him.
“We don’t know how heavily armed they are,” Damien added. “We can’t underestimate them.”
“That’s true.” Kian nodded slightly.
Edward thought for a moment.
“Fine,” he said. “We prepare carefully. But no delays.”
His voice was final.
“Three days.”
Kian nodded.
“I’ll inform Elder Rowan.”
The meeting ended shortly after that. Kian closed the folder and left immediately. He got into his car and drove off, his mind already planning the next steps.
Edward remained in his room attending to some files and signing some documents.
Damien excused himself calmly. But his heart was beating fast.
Outside in the yard, just behind the mansion, Damien spotted Jasper.
Jasper had just stepped out from a side entrance.
Their eyes met.
Damien walked toward him quickly.
“We have a problem,” Damien said in a low voice.
Jasper’s eyes narrowed. “What happened?”
“That boy,” Damien said. “Felix Landon.”
Jasper stiffened slightly. “What about him?”
“He’s Elara’s senior brother.”
Jasper’s expression darkened.
“You’re sure?”
“I spoke to him today,” Damien said. “He confirmed it.”
Jasper let out a slow breath.
“That’s not the issue right now,” Damien continued quickly. “Edward has found out about the warehouse.”
Jasper’s eyes widened. “What?”
“They received a tip,” Damien said. “They’re planning to raid it.”
Jasper’s jaw clenched. “When?”
“In less than three days.”
Silence fell between them. Then Jasper spoke calmly, as if he had expected this moment. “Then you know what to do.”
Damien nodded slowly.
“Move them,” Jasper said. “To the neighboring city.”
Damien’s face remained serious.
“The second warehouse?”
“Yes,” Jasper confirmed. “We can’t risk losing anyone.”
Damien ran a hand through his hair.
“It will take time,” he said. “They’re many.”
“Then start tonight,” Jasper said firmly. “No mistakes.”
Damien nodded.
“And Damien,” Jasper added quietly. “Make sure there are no loose ends.”
Their eyes locked.
They both understood what that meant.
Damien turned and walked toward his car.
He didn’t look back.
Within minutes, his car disappeared through the gates.